The final day of the 2025 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series at Marblehead Race Week presented eager sailors with challenging conditions as morning rain showers gave way to lumpy seas and shifting winds. Boston Yacht Club hosted July 24-27. In the J/105 fleet, the Texas-based team TnT, led this weekend by skipper Brad Tindall, made an impression at Marblehead. Despite the considerable journey from Corpus Christi, Texas to Marblehead, the team showcased both dedication and skill in every race. Their participation was inspired by the late Mark Masur, who previously owned their boat and frequently participated in East Coast events. “We brought the boat initially for Block Island [Race Week] last month, and decided to stay here and race in Marblehead,” Tindall says. “It was 2,168 miles, and we came up in June.” Their commitment was clear not only in their long journey but also in how effectively they adapted to Marblehead’s tricky sailing conditions. The team’s tactician, Mark Foster, emphasized the unique challenges of racing in Marblehead. “It was a typical Marblehead weekend. Lots of things get thrown at you. There’s nothing standard around Marblehead,” Foster says. However, the team managed to leverage their experience and adapt their tactics accordingly. The absence of strong currents on the J/105 course allowed for a boat speed-focused regatta, which played to their strengths. Key to their success was the team’s ability to adjust their tuning setups swiftly as conditions changed. “The biggest thing was not being afraid to get on those shrouds and get them in tune,” Tindall says, highlighting the adjustments that were crucial between races. Their lack of familiarity with the Marblehead J/105 fleet added an extra layer of complexity to Team TnT’s weekend. “Most of the Marblehead people were kinda local, and so they were all a new experience for all of us to sail against,” Foster says. Winning four of seven races in the J/105 fleet not only earned the TnT the class win, but also the regatta’s overall title and the coveted berth at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Caribbean Championship in the British Virgin Islands in October where they will face top teams from the regatta series’ other stops.
Event details/results: Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series – Marblehead